Dracula by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston from Bram Stoker’s novel
Director Shawn K. Summerer
Producers Alison Mattiza and Elizabeth Bouton-Summerer
Set Design Lighting Design Costume Design Tony Pereslete Robert Davis Sheridan Cole Crawford and Jon Sparks
Cast (in order of appearance) Miss Wells ...... MarLee Candell Jonathan Harker ...... Daniele Manzin Dr. Seward ...... Ken MacFarlane Abraham Van Helsing ...... Ben Lupejkis Renfield ...... Paul Guay Butterworth ...... Jeffrey Olin Lucy Seward ...... Samantha Barrios Count Dracula ...... Gary Shaw
Scenes and Settings Act I Library in Dr. Sewards’ Sanitorium Purley, England - Evening Act II Lucy’s Boudoir. Evening of the following Day Act III Scene 1 The same as Act I. Thirty two hours later (shortly before sunrise) Scene 2 A vault. Just after sunrise
There will be a 15-minute intermission between Act I & II and a 10-minute intermission between Act II & III Decaf coffee will be served at the first intermission, courtesy of Kentwood Players Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Director’s Statement In the summer of 1816, a bizarre climate abnormality overtook England, trapping a group of friends and authors in the home of poet Percy Shelley. Among the group was Lord Byron, his physician John Polidori, and Percy’s wife Mary. During their extended enclosure, the friends took to passing the time by telling spooky stories and eventually writing their own. From this came Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus and the first known vampire tale, John Polidori’s short story “The Vampyre”. Over 80 years later, in 1897, Bram Stoker took the vampire genre to a new level with his novel Dracula . Termed an “epistolary novel”, Dracula is told entirely through personal letters, ships logs, diary entries, and the like. The concept being that the reader is more likely to believe the story when it is corroborated by multiple sources. Although critically praised, Dracula was not immediately successful commercially. It wasn’t until 1924 when Hamilton Deane purchased the rights to the story for adaptation to the stage did the novel begin to gain popularity. And now it stands as one of the premiere Gothic novels, studied in classrooms around the world. Hamilton Deane’s initial adaptation altered a number of aspects from the book in order to make it work on the English stage, eliminating and consolidating characters and locales. Then, in 1927, Deane’s script was adapted by John L. Balderston for American audiences and it was changed even further. This is the version that is most often performed today. The role of Dracula has a very rich history as well. In the original 1924 production, Deane intended to play the role himself, but later opted for Van Helsing, opening the title role up to Raymond Huntley. But it wasn’t until the 1927 production on Broadway that Béla Lugosi filled the role and has since become the quintessential Dracula. Over the decades that followed, Dracula, the character and the story, has seen countless deaths, re-births, parodies, and sequels. From the seductive and suave Christopher Lee Dracula, to the bumbling clutz portrayed by Leslie Neilsen in Mel Brooks’ Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). There was even a kung-fu Dracula in Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) and a funky exploitative Dracula in Blacula (1972). But audiences continue to return to the beginning to remind themselves about what made this story so chilling and frightening in the first place. Remember, the original stage production was deemed so shocking, that audience members routinely had to step outside to settle their nerves. Yet they always came back for more… About the Cast Samantha Barrios (Lucy) is thrilled to make her Los Angeles theatrical debut with Kentwood Players!! Other theatre credits include Shelby in Steel Magnolias , SueEllen Smith-Barney-Fife in Honky Tonk Angels III , Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show , Yitzak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch , and New York audiences will most fondly remember her as the “wickedly funny” Olivia in Twelfth Night . Sam was born in Venezuela, raised mostly in the So oner state and is still part NYer. She is the proud mother of Rex – her Yorkie. Samantha received her BFA from Webster Conservatory. Loves and hugs!
MarLee Candell (Miss Wells) is performing with Kentwood Players for the first time and is enjoying it thoroughly. She has been a jack-of-all- trades in the entertainment industry for over two decades with credits as a singer, dancer, actor, figure skater, puppeteer, and magician’s assistant on three continents. Most recently, she played the lead role in The La st Days of Judas Iscariot at Repertory East in Newhall. She is also an accomplished voiceover artist; so if you are ever in Florida at a certain theme park and hear a voice telling you that “The white zone is for loading and unloading only”, it just might be MarLee.
Paul Guay (Renfield) conceived and co-wrote Liar, Liar , at the time of its release the sixth-highest-grossing comedy in history and the recipient of an Honorable Mention in Scr(i)pt magazine’s list of the Best Scripts of the Past 10 Years. He also co-wrote The Little Rascals and Heartbreakers . His film roles include a Texas john in a Nevada whorehouse run by Star Trek ’s Nichelle Nichols in Lady Magdalene’s ; a multiple-personality killer in Playhouse ; and a priest to cult icon P.J. Soles in Pee Stains and Other Disasters . With three dozen plays in his rearview mirror, he returned to the stage in January in the Morgan-Wixson production of Run For Your Wife after an acclaimed absence of 22 years. In his spare time, he is a script consultant.
Ben Lupejkis (Van Helsing) is a multiple Marcom Masque award winner in all aspects of theatre. There is irony in this current role: Ben recently received his doctorate from USC, so he is indeed a doctor playing a doctor. Ha! Over a 37 year career favorite role s he’s played are Lovin’ Al in Working , the Chairman in Drood , Buddy in Follies , Bellomy in Fantasticks , Don John in Much Ado About Nothing , Bennie Davis in Getting Out , Kulygin in Three Sisters , and Sydney Black in Light Up the Sky . Thanks Pattie (my bett er half), the skippers, Shawn, Elizabeth (his better half), and Alison for this great opportunity.
Ken MacFarlane (Seward) – Earlier this year Ken appeared at Kentwood as Flan in Six Degrees of Separation. His other Los Angeles theatre credits include True West , The Misanthrope , Enemy of the People , Two Gentlemen of Verona , Hamlet and JB , as well as the title roles in the world premieres of Godislav and The Crown of Minos . His film credits include Caesar & Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre , Change For Food , The Golem , Empire Builders , Annabelle and due to be released this fall The Millennium Bug . Daniele Manzin (Harker), a Seattle native, has called Los Angeles home for over 4 years. He recently graduated from Occidental College with a BA in theater. Daniele was busy this summer with Deicide: A Sorta Musical , which was a part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and PinocchiOklahoma at the Occidental Childrens Theater. Daniele has always been fascinated with the supernatural. His biggest dream is to be in a low-budget horror film or be in a remake of Ghostbusters . Daniele is very excited to be involved in such a thrilling play, and honored to work with such a beautiful community of thespians.
Jeffrey Olin (Butterworth) is very pleased to be portraying the attenda nt Mr. Butterworth. Butterworth is such a fun character to play. Jeffrey greatly enjoys working with his excellent castmates under the equally excellent direction of Shawn Summerer. He looks forward to many future projects with Kentwood Players. Jeffrey’s love of acting brought him to southern California just over a decade ago from the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated from the prestigious UCLA School of Theater, Film, & Television with honors. Jeffrey has since studied improv comedy at The Groundlings Sc hool. He’s also studied commercial and animation voiceover at Voicetrax West.
Gary Shaw (Dracula) is “happily at home” to be appearing in his first production with Kentwood Players. No stranger to the theater, some of his past credits include such shows as The Elephant Man (Ross), Man of La Mancha (Pedro), Our Town (Editor Webb) and Oklahoma! (Jud). In addition to his stage work, Gary’s strong vocal presence is certainly well known throughout the entertainment industry, having announced for such prestigious events as the BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and the star-studded One Night Only in Palm Springs. Gary is also busy at work, writing a one-man show as well as developing a cabaret act. As far as always playing the bad guy he says, “I love it. I have a certain empathy for them. Like most villains, they are simply just misunderstood.” About the Director Shawn K. Summerer – Originally from Michigan, Shawn got his start in theatre playing “The Letter K” in preschool. He received his BFA in Film Writing from USC and is currently represented by Circle of 10 Talent. This is Shawn’s directorial debut at Kentwood, but has directed children’s theatre productions including Oliver , King and I , and Joseph… . As an actor, his favorite roles include Big Daddy in Sweet Charity , Pedro in Man of La Mancha , David in Company , Tommy in Annie Get Your Gun , Neville in The Mystery of Edwin Drood , and Edmund in A Murder is Announced . DOORBELL. About the Producers Alison Mattiza is very excited to be part of the crew of Dracula. She thanks her very good friends Elizabeth and Shawn for allowing her to join such a wonderful production! Alison has been a Kentwood member for about 15 years now and is currently on the board as well. Her love goes out to Van and Jack for supporting her theater habit. Alison also enjoys performing and has appeared in such KP productions as Guys & Dolls (Adelaide), Working (Housewife), and City of Angels (Oolie/Donna). This one is for Melanie. Elizabeth Bouton-Summerer was last seen onstage as Edwin Drood with her husband Shawn – now comes the challenge of producing! Other favorite roles on the Kentwood stage are Molly Brown, Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels and her first role 10 years ago, Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense . Ali you rock! Shawn I’m so proud of you! Thanks to the cast and crew – FLAMES MM! About the Designers Tony Pereslete (Set Design) celebrates 10 years at Kentwood with the mystery and suspense of Dracula . It has been a privilege to work with this fine cast and crew.
Robert Davis (Lighting Design) – Robert is pleased to add Dracula to his list of lighting credits with Kentwood Players. Previous lighting designs include last season’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife , as well as The Most Happy Fella and A Murder is Announced . He has a special fondness for macabre plays, having portrayed Van Helsing in a production of The Passion of Dracula and Igor in The Diaries of Frankenstein (where he literally died on stage opening weekend, thank you Anaheim paramedics). Congratulations to Shawn and Gary, and much love to JP. For Mel, who found her light.
Sheridan Cole Crawford (Costume Design) – Sheridan has done a lot of jobs around Kentwood, including costumes for about ten shows, from Lost in Yonkers to the recent The Importance of Being Earnest . Co-designer Jon has made this show a treat to work on, and the cast has been terrific.
Jon Sparks (Costume Design) – Jon Sparks (Co-Costumer) Jon is happy to be working with Shawn, Elizabeth and Sheridan on this production of Dracula . His costume credits include Five Women Wearing the Same Dress , Anything Goes , Bye Bye Birdie , Company , and Arsenic and Old Lace . Set designer credits include Carousel , Annie Get Your Gun , Crimes of the Heart , Company , The Last Night of Ballyhoo , and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress , The Fantasticks , Bye Bye Birdie , and Damn Yankees . Wigs credits include Carousel , Annie Get Your Gun , Grease , Damn Yankees , Bye Bye Birdie , Laughter on the 23rd Floor , She Loves Me , Sordid Lives , Compleat Female Stage Beauty , City of Angels , Play On , A Little Night Music , Unsinkable Molly Brown , Cinderella , and The Mystery of Edwin Drood GMKL-FLAMES-PIE.
Dedication For Melanie McBride 1972-2010 Kentwood Players’ Board of Directors 2010-2011 President ...... Ben Lupejkis Vice President / Membership...... Susan Weisbarth Secretary ...... Alison Mattiza Treasurer ...... Catherine Rahm Box Office ...... Julia Maggs House Manager ...... Russell Ham Production Manager ...... Lori A. Marple-Pereslete Technical Manager ...... John Beckwith Publicity ...... Shari Barrett Programs and Postcards ...... Tom Brophey Bulletin ...... Jenny Boone Season Tickets ...... Virginia Mekkelson Special Theatre Parties ...... Calia Mintzer-Wolf Workshop and Scheduling ...... Margie Bates Plays Committee Chairperson ...... Maria Pavone Plays Committee ...... Patricia Butler, Gail Bernardi Production Staff Stage Manager ...... Tiffany McQuay Assistant Stage Manager...... Patricia Butler Dialect Coach ...... Drew Fitzsimmons Script Supervisor ...... Elizabeth Bouton-Summerer, Ron Edwards Booth Crew ...... Kirk Larson, Virginia Mekkelson and Tom Hass Sound Design...... John McQuay, Victor Reinhardt Set Decoration Design ...... Lori A. Marple-Pereslete Original Graphic Design ...... Liz Reinhardt Lobby Design ...... Marcy Agreen Master Builder ...... Tony Pereslete Set Construction ...... Jim Crawford, Bob Pereslete, Ben Lupejkis, Victor Reinhardt Costume Construction ...... Maria Cohen, Julia Maggs Properties ...... Lori A. Marple-Pereslete Special Effects ...... Victor Reinhardt Publicity Photos ...... Liz Reinhardt Audition Assistance ...... Jeanne Spain, Max Heldring Stormes Hospitality Coordinator ...... Selene Young Box Office ...... Cynthia Adent
Strike Crew and Work Sunday Marcy Agreen, Miriam Amster, Samantha Barrios, Carol Becker, Lauren Billingsley, Jordan Bland, Scott Briscoe, Barbara Brophey, Tom Brophey, Patricia Butler, MarLee Cardell, Arlene Cohen, Maria E. Cohen, Sheldon Cohen, Robert Davis, Adam Dunberger, Hal Fisher, Andrew Fitzsimmons, Paul Guay, Russell Ham, Jayne Hamil, Shirley Hatton, Betty Hayes, Susan Knight, Will Knight, Ben Lupejkis, Julia Maggs, Lori A. Marple-Pereslete, Alison Mattiza, Ken MacFarlane, Dennis McNett, Virginia Mekkelson, Melvin Miller, Calia Mintzer Wolf, Fred Mintzer Wolf, Jeffrey Olin, Robert Pereslete, Tony Pereslete, Judy Polak, Lee Polak, Linda Reinhardt, Victor Reinhardt, Charlotte Lee Schildkret, Gary Shaw, Jon Sparks, Jeremy Speed Schwartz, Max Stormes, Elizabeth B. Summerer, Shawn Summerer
Special Thanks Robyn Rothstein, Will Meister, Drew Fitzsimmons, Victor Reinhart, Ron Edwards, Diana Mann, Gail Bernardi
During the performance please turn your pagers to silent, and turn off your cell phones and alarms on your digital watches. There is no louder sound in a theatre than the rattle of cellophane. Please unwrap your candy or cough drops before the play begins. Kentwood Players is a Member of the LAX COASTAL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE You are invited to meet and greet cast members after the performance in the Green Room. Please use the outside stairway at the rear of the theater. For up to date info about Kentwood Players visit our website www.kentwoodplayers.org Kentwood Players Coming Attractions
Annie , a Musical The Farndale ... Murder Mystery, A Comedy Book by Thomas Meehan By David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr Music by Charles Strouse January 14 – February 19, 2011 Lyrics by Martin Charnin Director: Scott Martin November 5 – December 11, 2010 Director: Susan Goldman Weisbarth
Parade , a Musical Squabbles Book by Alfred Uhry A Comedy by Marshall Karp Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown May 20 – June 25, 2011 March 18 – April 23, 2011 Director: Gail Bernardi Director: Ben Lupejkis
Special Theatre Parties A special Theatre Party planned for your organization or group can be a financial success as well as an entertaining evening (or matinee) at the theatre. For further information call: Calia Mintzer-Wolf (310) 837-3609 Reservations are Necessary Please call (310) 645-5156 between 4:00pm – 7:00pm TUESDAY – SATURDAY Reservations MUST be paid for by cash, check, member coupon, season subscriber coupon or VISA /M ASTER CARD /D ISCOVER one week after they are made.
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Kentwood Kids Announces
AUDITIONS for their upcoming production of
Alice in Wonderland a play with music adapted from Lewis Carroll’s classic story
Directed and Produced by Jeremy Speed Schwartz & Meredith M. Sweeney
Performances Saturdays November 20 th & 27 th AND December 4 th & 11th at 11:00am & 2:00pm
Auditions October 2 nd & October 3 rd 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse!
Email [email protected] for questions and copies of the script!
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In 1949, a group of dedicated performers came together to provide quality theatre at an affordable price for the Westchester community. More than 50 years later, the Kentwood Players are still going strong. From Shakespeare to Simon, from Sondheim to Hammerstein, we have worked diligently, putting in countless volunteer hours, keeping our prices low enough to allow all in our community access to a magical evening or matinee in the theatre. Now, we need your help. We have some critical improvements that will be beyond what we as a small community theatre can manage. We need a new roof, a new heating and air conditioning system, and most of our facility needs to be updated. For the first time in our history, we are asking our wonderful patrons and dedicated community members to partner with us and become sponsors of our beloved theatre. There are many ways you can help. Of course, we welcome your contributions no matter how large or small. Together we can keep quality theatre in Westchester at prices that are still affordable for our audiences. Please take a look at our sponsorship opportunities and if we can answer any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. THANK YOU FROM THE KENTWOOD PLAYERS Donation envelopes can be foufoundnd in our lobby.
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Special Thanks to our 20092009----1010 Capital Campaign Donors
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